Reviews of underground and indie music and films, 60s/70s pop and soul music and cult movies. And the occasional wacky tale about life in the Hollywood flatlands.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

EP Review: Kate Crash: My Zombie Nation

Kate Crash’s colorful persona is well-known to underground
Hollywood scenesters. She was pegged as one of the ten most eccentric
characters in L.A.’s nightlife scene by the Weekly’s Nightranger column this
February. Honing her creative vibe as a
street performer in Tokyo, Crash transferred her flashy modus operandi to L.A. a few years ago. A singer/performance artist/poet
and fashion designer (she has her own DIY clothing line, Crashion), Crash has
played gigs at the Three of Clubs, Cheetahs and opened for Joan Jett and the
Blackhearts at Taste of Newport in Newport Beach.

Crash’s latest EP, My
Zombie Nation, is her first release on Joan Jett’s Blackheart label. The EP
is spunky rock with just a hint of poetry. Ain’t
Got Much features Kate relating some real-life tales Patti Smith style,
underscored by dirty, straight-ahead guitar-slinging. The playful old-style
synth motifs of Yumi and the Sound amplify
the song’s playful, shout-along ambiance.

Produced by Nick Launay (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Arcade
Fire), this four-song EP translates Crash’s bubbly onstage personality onto her
recordings ; the tunes are all good fun, championing a blend of glitter rock
and street beats. Bonus: If you get a chance, check out the video for Generation of the Bored on the
Blackheart website. It’s a kinetic splash of neon poking fun at reality
stars like Paris Hilton and their influence on today’s tween girls.

My Zombie Nation is available in digital download from Amazon
and iTunes.